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Scottish Women's Football (SWF), formerly known as the Scottish Women’s Football Association (SWFA) between 1972 and 2001, is the governing body for women's association football in Scotland. It is an affiliated national association of the Scottish Football Association (SFA).

In its history, it has run or organised the Scottish Women's Cup, the Scotland women's team, Scottish Women's Football League, Scottish Women's Premier League and other league divisions.

History

Scotland hosted the first organised games of women's football in 1881, and the sport became popular in the 1920s, attracting crowds of thousands. Women's football was banned from English Football Association grounds in 1921; the Scottish Football Association (SFA) did not follow suit, although it was not supportive. The leading team during this era, Rutherglen Ladies F.C., existed from 1921 to 1939.

The SWFA was founded in 1972, when six teams met and decided to form an Association: Aberdeen Prima Donnas, Cambslang Hooverettes, Dundee Strikers, Edinburgh Dynamos, Westthorn United and Stewarton Thistle.

Initially, the SFA opposed the formation of the SWFA, but in 1974, it recognised the new association. However, the SWFA remained small, with membership in the 1970s peaking at 14 teams. In 1992, it introduced coaching courses, and in 1996 it began organising junior and school football. In 1998, it affiliated to the SFA.

The association stated that its purpose was, "To promote, foster and develop, in all its branches without discrimination against any organisation or person for reason of race, religion or politics, the game of Association Football for women/girls" (2003). Among its aims in 2021 was, "A game that realises the needs, wants and unlimited ambitions of its girls and women."

This association consists of:

• Senior leagues - including two national leagues, and various regional leagues.
• U14, U16 and U18 leagues in various parts of Scotland.
• Multiple cup competitions

See also

• List of women's football clubs in Scotland
• Scottish Women's Football Annual Awards

References

1. Patrick Brennan. ""England" v "Scotland" - 1881". Archived from the original on 6 March 2022.
2. "Rutherglen Ladies FC: The trailblazing women who defied the ban on football 100 years ago". The Scotsman. Retrieved 2021-12-09.
3. "BBC SPORT | Football | Women | How women's football battled for survival". BBC News. 2005-06-03. Retrieved 2012-08-03.
4. ^ Fraser, Karen (2020). "Sisters doing it for themselves: the rich history of women's football in Scotland from the 1960s to 2020". Sport in History. 40 (4): 456–481. doi:10.1080/17460263.2020.1820899. S2CID 225007062.
5. "MEMORANDUM OF ASSOCIATION OF SCOTTISH WOMEN'S FOOTBALL". SWF. Archived from the original on 29 April 2003.
6. "About Scottish Women's Football". SWF. Archived from the original on 14 June 2021.

External links

• Official website

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